[vb400ex]

ok my ball joints are shot!! 2002 400 ex, instead of buyinf expensive new ones or used ones with work out ball joints i did watch a few videos of people cuttint them off and tappingthe hollow hole, i just cant figure out what TIE rod end the used (which i beleive is from a car) or where to get it ... anything will help thanks

 

[SamUK]

The only way to find a match would be to take an old one to your local car spares shop. I'm assuming your in the USA? Not sure on availability, if at all, but you could look for Austin metro or Austin Mini, they would be the only two small joints I could think of.
Alternatively, bearing and seal suppliers usually stock ball, rose and heim joints, maybe pop in if you have a store local to you.

 

[vb400ex]

i know a bunch of peope have done this before.. someboday has to know which one fits looking to do the uppers

 

[SamUK]

Why not just fix it for life and fit Rose/heim joints? There actually cheap if you go to a bearing/seal stockists.

 

[SlammedRanger]

Chevy s10 tie rod ends fit right in the stock 400ex a-arms and work as ball joints.

 

[vb400ex]

hey sam are heim joints good for jumping?? also every company i looked up to buy aftermarket a arms, nobody has oem length, everything all says +2, what does that evven mean? i just want a stock length not trying to widen or anything

 

[SlammedRanger]

+2 is an added 2inches of width per side. My quad is 48 inches wide in the front until i get my 5+2 offset front rims then i will be the max 50 inches wide.

 

[vb400ex]

What year s10??

 

[SlammedRanger]

Dont think it matters?

 

[UnkleRaRa]

I think I read that some years of VW Beetles also work

 

[SlammedRanger]

Keep in mind i have never done this to any of the 400s i have built for myself or any of them i have built for buddies. So i would suggest getting out your caliper and measuring the inner diameter of the hole on the back side of the a-arm and then checking before you go cutting anything. Also if your unsure of your ability to make a straight cut on the a-arms i would highly suggest having it done by someone who can do it. If your cut isnt pretty straight your gunna have issues. You will also want to make sure all your cuts are in the exact same spot on all 4.

 

[UnkleRaRa]

400ex ball joints VW replacement [Archive] - ATV Riders Forum

some good info on this thread